Bird feeding is a popular hobby for many people who enjoy watching birds up close. When setting up bird feeders in your yard, an important consideration is what color feeder will attract the most birds. The color of a bird feeder can make a big difference in how many birds visit your yard. Birds have color vision and color preferences just like humans do. Choosing feeders in colors that appeal to birds can increase the number of feathered visitors to your backyard. So what are the best colors to use when selecting or painting a bird feeder?
How a Bird Sees Color
To understand which colors birds like best, it helps to know a little bit about avian vision. Birds see color differently than humans do. They have four types of color photoreceptors in their eyes, compared to only three in human eyes. Birds have receptors for red, green, blue, and ultraviolet light. Their vision spectrum extends into the ultraviolet range, which humans cannot see. The ability to see ultraviolet light helps birds find food and see markings on other birds. So when choosing colors for bird feeders, it is important to consider colors visible in the ultraviolet range that appeal to birds but may not stand out as much to our human eyes.
Best Colors for Bird Feeders
Red
Red is one of the best colors for attracting hummingbirds. The color red appeals strongly to hummingbirds because they can see the red spectrum especially well. The pigment that allows hummingbirds to see red colors is missing in most other birds. Putting out red hummingbird feeders is one of the easiest ways to draw these tiny birds to your yard. Red looks vibrant and inviting against green foliage. In addition to whole red feeders, using red accents on feeders can help make them more attractive to hummingbirds.
Orange
Like red, orange is highly visible to birds. It is a warm, energetic color preferred by orioles and other birds. Orange can work well combined with black or other colors on a feeder to create a feeder with visual appeal to birds. Orange fruit is a natural food source that many birds seek out, so orange feeders can simulate fruit. Orioles in particular are attracted to orange because it indicates ripe fruit.
Yellow
Yellow is another warm color birds gravitate toward. It stands out against darker backgrounds. Yellow feeders will catch the eye of finches, warblers, and other birds passing by. Mixing yellow with black or brown can also create an eye-catching feeder combination. Yellow with red or orange will give a bright, fruity look. For goldfinches and other seed-eating birds, yellow signals the presence of bountiful food. Yellow feeders will get a lot of avian attention, especially paired with food sources like nyjer seed that goldfinches love.
Blue
While blue on its own may not attract as many birds as warm colors, when combined with other colors it can increase a feeder’s appeal. Blue mixed with yellow or orange gives a vibrant, fruit-like look that may catch birds’ eyes. Some birds like blue jays may also be specifically drawn to blue feeders. Using some blue accents on bird feeders can help draw interest without deterring other birds if it is not the main color.
Green
Green blends in with foliage more than some other colors, but it can still work well for bird feeders. Green is a color found in many birds’ plumage, so they are naturally comfortable with it. Combining green with yellow, orange, or red can create bright blends of colors that appeal to birds. Green is also less likely to fade in sunlight than some other paint colors.
Black
Black is not the most enticing color on its own for attracting birds, but it makes a striking contrast when combined with bright colors like yellow or orange. Feeders with black and orange, black and red, or black and yellow can create eye-catching patterns using the high-contrast against the dark black background. Black can also be good for deterring squirrels if you do not want them raiding a particular feeder meant for birds.
White
White is neutral color that generally will not repel birds from feeders. It shows up well against most backgrounds and can be easy to keep clean. However, all-white feeders may not initially attract as many birds as those with colors birds find more appealing. Combining white with brighter colors like purple or yellow can increase its drawing power with birds.
Avoid Brown
Brown is one color to generally avoid when choosing bird feeder colors. Brown mimics the look of tree bark too closely, causing feeders to visually blend in instead of standing out. Birds may not notice brown feeders as readily. Brown combined with other colors in camouflage-like patterns can also make feeders harder for birds to see. Use brown minimally or avoid it to prevent your bird feeder from getting lost against the background environment.
Using Multiple Colors
Rather than just a single color, using a combination of colors on a bird feeder can increase its effectiveness at drawing in birds. Contrasting bright colors against darker ones, or complementing each other with hues from different parts of the spectrum, creates feeders with visual depth. Here are some color combinations known to attract birds:
- Orange, yellow, and blue – Mimics fruit colors
- Red and yellow – Simulates berries and flowers
- Green, orange, and white – Bright contract against green foliage
- Red, orange, and black – Striking color combinations
The key is to combine colors birds like with ones that will stand out against your surroundings. Place your multi-color feeder near bushes or trees where it is easily visible to increase sightings of feeding birds.
Using Ultraviolet Colors
Since birds see ultraviolet wavelengths that humans cannot, using ultraviolet colors is one way to make feeders stand out. These glowing colors are created by adding UV fluorescent pigments to paints and finishes. UV hues appear bright white to humans but vivid to birds. Here are some ways to use ultraviolet colors:
- Paint UV accents onto wood feeders
- Use UV colors on plastic feeder parts
- Coat feeders with UV powder coatings
- Add UV paints to glass and metal feeders
UV paints and coatings will make your feeder visually pop to birds in ways that humans can’t see. Place UV feeders in shady areas where the colors glow most to birds.
Using Color Combinations to Attract Specific Birds
Bird Type | Color Combinations They Like |
---|---|
Goldfinches | Yellow, black, and white |
Chickadees | Black and white |
Orioles | Orange and black |
Tanagers | Red and black |
Woodpeckers | Red, yellow, and black |
Warblers | Yellow and green |
Tips for Each Species
Goldfinches – Paint or coat feeders with their favorite colors of yellow, black, and white. They are attracted to thistle seed.
Chickadees – Use bold black and white patterns on feeders placed near woods and thickets where chickadees live.
Orioles – Paint the top half of feeders orange and the bottom black to target fruit- and nectar-loving orioles.
Tanagers – Add strips or accents of red and black to appeal to their love of berry colors.
Woodpeckers – Use combinations of red, yellow, and black to catch the eye of visiting woodpeckers.
Warblers – Try green-based colors with bright yellow accents to attract warblers passing through in spring.
Using combos that specific bird species are naturally drawn to can increase sightings of particular birds you hope to attract.
Conclusion
Bird feeder color has a major impact on how many birds visit your yard. Colors birds like include red, orange, yellow, and black, especially when contrasted or combined together. Stay away from all brown feeders, which birds may not notice as well. Mixing colors can better attract birds than a single solid color. Ultraviolet reflective colors not visible to humans also help draw birds in. Consider what local species you want to see, and use combos of their favorite colors to catch their eye. With a vibrant, well-placed feeder in colors that appeal to birds’ vision, you will quickly see your yard become a birdwatcher’s paradise.